Breakthrough at the Hart Farm

[White Flint Bill]

In April 1865 the Petersburg defenses ran through the Hart Farm, which is now within Pamplin Park. The "Hart House" has been preserved.

The house was built by Charles H. Carr just before the War. A native of New York, Carr was serving as a Private in Company B of the 41st Virginia Infantry when he was hospitalized in Farmville with typhoid fever on June 15, 1862. While hospitalized he committed suicide by shooting himself. Carr's widow sold the house to John Hart in November 1862.

On the morning of April 2, 1865, elements of the Federal Sixth Corps assaulted and overran the Confederate lines at the Hart Farm, manned by the 28th North Carolina of Lane's Brigade, and 11th and 52nd North Carolina of McRae's Brigade.

Below are interpretive markers at the site.

 

[Mrs. V]

So sad. Poor fellow must have been suffering terribly, to think that killing himself was the best answer. Must have been awfully hard for his widow as well.

 

[byron ed]

There's a number of construction details differing between the painting and floor plan shown on the marker, and the house itself. Most obvious by comparison is that the surviving house has a much higher foundation and porch, no extended front fascia or side bay window, and added 2nd-story pocket windows.

The house being moved to the present site could explain it, though it seems they could have tried a little harder to retain a bit more of the original architecture.* In particular, why would they add or subtract windows?

But doesn't matter much, the story is quite interesting, thanks.



- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
*Or perhaps the house is a post-war re-build after a fire, which emulates the roofline of the original but not much else. Wouldn't be the first time that happened, rural fire departments weren't what they are today.